Učinak broja somatskih stanica na prinos i sastav mlijeka u krava holštajnske pasmine

This study was conducted to assess the impact of somatic cell count (SCC) on the test day milk yield (TDMY) and milk composition parameters (fat, solids-not-fat, protein and lactose) of Holstein cows raised in the Kırşehir province of Turkey. A total of 1194 raw milk samples were collected from 195 Holstein cows at different stages of lactation (from 1 to 7), parities (from 1 to 3) and calving seasons (autumn, winter, spring and summer). Also, TDMY and milk composition traits were tested by SCC in four groups (500×103 cells/mL). For statistical evaluation, SCC data were converted to log10 base. The overall means of log10SCC, TDMY, fat, solids-not-fat (SNF), protein and lactose were determined as 4.95 ± 0.016, 33.36 ± 0.232 kg/day, 3.39 ± 0.021%, 9.04 ± 0.013%, 3.32 ± 0.005% and 4.92 ± 0.007%, respectively. Log10SCC, TDMY, fat, SNF, protein and lactose were significantly affected by the stage of lactation, parity and calving seasons (P201×103 cells/mL) had a lower TDMY than milk with lower SCC (500×103 cells/mL. It was concluded that SCC in milk should not exceed 500×103 cells/mL for Holstein cows, suggesting that monthly control of SCC may be effective for improving milk production and milk quality in Holstein cows.Ovim se istraživanjem želio ustanoviti utjecaj broja somatskih stanica (SCC) na dnevni prinos mlijeka (TDMY) i sastav mlijeka (masnoća, suha tvar, bjelančevine i laktoza) krava holštajnske pasmine u Kirşehiru u Turskoj. Ukupno 1194 uzoraka sirova mlijeka prikupljeno je od 195 krava holštajnske pasmine u različitim fazama laktacije (od 1 do 7), pariteta (od 1 do 3) i različitim razdobljima teljenja (jesen, zima, proljeće i ljeto). Također, ispitivan je broj somatskih stanica s obzirom na dnevni prinos i sastav mlijeka u četiri skupine (500×103 stanica po mililitru). Za statističku obradu podaci o broju stanica prikazani su u bazi 10 logaritma (log10). Ukupna srednja vrijednost log10 za SSC iznosila je 4.95 ± 0.016, za TDMY 33.36 ± 0.232 kg/day, za masnoću 3.39 ± 0.021 %, za suhu tvar 9.04 ± 0.013 %, za bjelančevine 3.32 ± 0.005 % i za laktozu 4.92 ± 0.007 %. Na ukupnu srednju vrijednost log10SCC, dnevnog prinosa, masnoće, suhe tvari, bjelančevina i laktoze statistički znakovito (P201×103 stanica po mililitru) imale su manji dnevni prinos mlijeka nego one s manjim brojem somatskih stanica (<100×103 i 100-200 stanica po mililitru). Smanjen dnevni prinos i manja količina masnoće, suhe tvari, bjelančevina i laktoze utvrđeni su u mlijeku s brojem somatskih stanica većim od 500×103 stanica po mililitru. Zaključeno je da broj somatskih stanica u mlijeku ne bi trebao biti veći od 500× 103 stanica po mililitru te da bi mjesečna kontrola broja somatskih stanica u mlijeku krava holštajnske pasmine mogla povećati proizvodnju i poboljšati njegovu kakvoću

Fatty acid profilies and some meat quality traits at different slaughter weights of Brown Swiss bulls

This research was done to detect some meat quality traits and tissue fatty acid combination of the longissimus dorsi thoracis (LT) muscle of Brown Swiss bulls at the different slaughter weights (SW). The animal material of the study comprised 20 Brown Swiss bulls. In the study, Brown Swiss bulls were divided into two groups according to their SW as low (LSW (n = 10); 431–503 kg) and high (HSW (n = 10); 504–583 kg). In the study, the LSW group showed the lowest final pH value (pHF) (5.44) (P 0.05). In the research, the differences observed between the SW groups considering a* (redness) and C (chroma) values were found significant (P 0.05). Freeze–thaw loss (FL) and ether extract (PEE) were found 4.35% and 1.01% higher, respectively, in the HSW group than the LSW group (P 0.05) in the LT muscle decreased with the increase of SW. As a result, when LSW and HSW slaughter weight groups were evaluated considering the water losses causing financial losses in meat and fatty acids having beneficial effects on human health, it was seen that the LSW group came to the fore. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V

Quantum Monte Carlo Study of Semiconductor Artificial Graphene Nanostructures

Semiconductor artificial graphene nanostructures where Hubbard model parameter $U/t$ can be of the order of 100, provide a highly controllable platform to study strongly correlated quantum many-particle phases. We use accurate variational and diffusion Monte Carlo methods to demonstrate a transition from antiferromagnetic to metallic phases for experimentally accessible lattice constant $a=50$ nm in terms of lattice site radius $\rho$, for finite sized artificial honeycomb structures nanopatterned on GaAs quantum wells containing up to 114 electrons. By analysing spin-spin correlation functions for hexagonal flakes with armchair edges and triangular flakes with zigzag edges, we show that edge type, geometry and charge nonuniformity affect the steepness and the crossover $\rho$ value of the phase transition. For triangular structures, the metal-insulator transition is accompanied with a smoother edge polarization transition.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figures; references added, several system sizes added, typos corrected; abstract update

Estimation of genetic and phenotypic parameters for body condition score, milk yield and milk composition, and factors affecting related traits during the first 150 days of lactation in Holstein cows

This study aimed to estimate the genetic and phenotypic parameters for BCS, milk yield and its composition in Holstein cows. The data were collected in the first 150 days in milk (DIM) of 317 Holstein cows calved between 2017 and 2018 raised at a pri-vate dairy cattle farm located in Kırşehir of Turkey. In this study, parity and DIM were included as fixed factors in the model. The cows were grouped according to their BCS: low (BCS≤2.50), moderate (BCS=2.75-3.00) and high (BCS≥3.25). The results showed that effects of parity and DIM on BCS, test-day milk yield (TDMY), solids-non-fat (SNF), protein content (PC), lactose (LACT), fat yield (FY) and protein yield (PY) were significantly important (P<0.05), whereas fat content (FC) was not. The highest TDMY, FY and PY were determined in cows with low BCS. FC, SNF, PC and LACT were the highest in cows with high BCS compared to those with low BCS and moderate BCS. The estimated heritability were 0.188, 0.301, 0.184, 0.197, 0.194, 0.223, 0.196 and 0.342 for BCS, TDMY, FC, SNF, PC, LACT, FY and PY, respectively. Repeatability for these traits was estimated to vary from 0.257 to 0.521. Genetic correlations between BCS and milk yield traits were generally low and ranged from-0.175 to 0.191. Low to moderate phenotypic correlations were also observed between BCS and milk yield traits (-0.234 to 0.217). Despite estimated low heritability and correlations during the early lactation period in our study, these results showed that cows with lower BCS had higher milk yield and lower milk contents, and selection programs including BCS will lead to slight improvements of milk yield traits in Holstein cows. © 2022, Massimo Morgante. All rights reserved

THE EFFECT OF SOME ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS ON MILK COMPOSITION OF ANATOLIAN BUFFALOES

WOS: 000413672900011The aim of this study was to determine the composition of raw milk from Anatolian water buffaloes raised under different village conditions in the Tokat province of Northern Turkey. The study materials included 600 milk samples from 120 water buffaloes raised at different farms in 12 separate villages of the Erbaa, Turhal, and Pazar counties in the Tokat Province. The dry matter, nonfat dry matter (or solid non fat), fat, protein, lactose, and casein content of the milk samples were determined. The study results demonstrated that the mean dry matter, nonfat dry matter, fat, protein, lactose, and casein content of the raw milk samples were 16.99 +/- 0.108%, 10.88 +/- 0.036%, 5.98 +/- 0.107%, 4.85 +/- 0.043%, 5.17 +/- 0,021%, and 3.61 +/- 0.036%, respectively. The study data were evaluated according to the water buffaloes' lactation stage, parity, and season by using the SPSS statistical program. It was concluded that the sampling time, parity, village conditions, stage of lactation and calving age had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on the dry matter, nonfat dry matter, fat, protein, lactose, and casein content of raw milk from the Anatolian water buffalo.Ahi Evran University Scientific Research Projects Coordination UnitAhi Evran University [ZRT.E2.16.008]; General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies in Tokat provinceThis work was supported by the Ahi Evran University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit. Project Number: ZRT.E2.16.008. This study's data were obtained from the scope of the project of improvement of Anatolian buffalo in public hand supported by General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies in Tokat province. We would like to thank Tokat Water Buffalo Breeders' Association for valuable technical assistance

Lack of MeCP2 leads to region-specific increase of doublecortin in the olfactory system

This is a pre-print of an article published in Brain Structure and Function. The final authenticated version is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00429-019-01860-6The protein doublecortin is mainly expressed in migrating neuroblasts and immature neurons. The X-linked gene MECP2, associated to several neurodevelopmental disorders such as Rett syndrome, encodes the protein methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2), a regulatory protein that has been implicated in neuronal maturation and refinement of olfactory circuits. Here, we explored doublecortin immunoreactivity in the brain of young adult female Mecp2-heterozygous and male Mecp2-null mice and their wild-type littermates. The distribution of doublecortin-immunoreactive somata in neurogenic brain regions was consistent with previous reports in rodents, and no qualitative differences were found between genotypes or sexes. Quantitatively, we found a significant increase in doublecortin cell density in the piriform cortex of Mecp2-null males as compared to WT littermates. A similar increase was seen in a newly identified population of doublecortin cells in the olfactory tubercle. In these olfactory structures, however, the percentage of doublecortin immature neurons that also expressed NeuN was not different between genotypes. By contrast, we found no significant differences between genotypes in doublecortin immunoreactivity in the olfactory bulbs. Nonetheless, in the periglomerular layer of Mecp2-null males, we observed a specific decrease of immature neurons co-expressing doublecortin and NeuN. Overall, no differences were evident between Mecp2-heterozygous and WT females. In addition, no differences could be detected between genotypes in the density of doublecortin-immunoreactive cells in the hippocampus or striatum of either males or females. Our results suggest that MeCP2 is involved in neuronal maturation in a region-dependent manner

Male-specific features are reduced in Mecp2-null mice: analyses of vasopressinergic innervation, pheromone production and social behaviour

This is a pre-print of an article published in Brain Structure and Function. The final authenticated version is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00429-020-02122-6Deficits in arginine vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin (OT), two neuropeptides closely implicated in the modulation of social behaviours, have been reported in some early developmental disorders and autism spectrum disorders. Mutations in the X-linked methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MECP2) gene are associated to Rett syndrome and other neuropsychiatric conditions. Thus, we first analysed AVP and OT expression in the brain of Mecp2-mutant mice by immunohistochemistry. Our results revealed no significant differences in these systems in young adult Mecp2-heterozygous females, as compared to WT littermates. By contrast, we found a significant reduction in the sexually dimorphic, testosterone-dependent, vasopressinergic innervation in several nuclei of the social brain network and oxytocinergic innervation in the lateral habenula of Mecp2-null males, as compared to WT littermates. Analysis of urinary production of pheromones shows that Mecp2-null males lack the testosterone-dependent pheromone darcin, strongly suggesting low levels of androgens in these males. In addition, resident-intruder tests revealed lack of aggressive behaviour in Mecp2-null males and decreased chemoinvestigation of the intruder. By contrast, Mecp2-null males exhibited enhanced social approach, as compared to WT animals, in a 3-chamber social interaction test. In summary, Mecp2-null males, which display internal testicles, display a significant reduction of some male-specific features, such as vasopressinergic innervation within the social brain network, male pheromone production and aggressive behaviour. Thus, atypical social behaviours in Mecp2-null males may be caused, at least in part, by the effect of lack of MeCP2 over sexual differentiation

Coronary artery fistula: Review of 54 cases from single center experience

Background: Demographic and clinical characteristics and angiographic findings of Turkish patients with coronary artery fistula have been investigated in this study and diagnostic tests and treatment methods used in these patients have also been evaluated in detail. Methods: We have examined the cardiac catheterization laboratory database retrospectively between March 2006 and July 2010. Among 49,567 patients, we have noted 60 patients diagnosed as coronary artery fistula. After coronary angiographic images were evaluated by two invasive cardiologists, 54 patients who had clear evidence of vessel of origin and drainage were included in the study. Results: A total of 54 (0.1%) patients with coronary artery fistula were noted. Mean age was 56.7 &#177; 10.7 years; 42 out of 54 patients had accompanying cardiac disorders. Patients&#8217; complaints were directly associated with the presence of the fistula. Chest pain was the admission symptom in all of the patients with isolated coronary artery fistula. Six patients had coexistent congenital anomalies. Myocardial infarction with ST segment elevation occurred in 11 of the patients. In contrast to the previous reports, the most common artery of origin of the fistula was left anterior descending artery (50.8%) and pulmonary artery was found to be the most frequent region of the fistula drainage by 53.7%. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that large fistulas originating from the proximal segments of coronary arteries may increase the likelihood of atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction even in asymptomatic patients with no evidence of ischemia in noninvasive tests and no dilatation of cardiac chambers, and should therefore be closed

Reversibility of the pathology in a mouse model of fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome : exploring time-dependence and intervention strategies

Trinucleotide repeat expansion mutations in the 5’ untranslated region of the fragile X mental retardation-1 gene (fmr1) are the underlying genetic cause of four distinct disorders. Large expansions result in silencing of the fmr1 gene and its protein product fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) is not expressed. Lack of FMRP causes fragile X syndrome (FXS), the most common inherited cause of intellectual disability. Moderate expansions are referred to as premutations and are associated with fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS), fragile X-associated neuropsychiatric disorders (FXAND), and fragile X-associated primary ovarian insufficiency (FXPOI). The premutation disorders are distinct from FXS as they are caused by the aberrant RNA transcript of the fmr1 that generally drives a degenerative process within the tissues that are associated with each disorder. FXTAS is the incurable late onset manifestation of the premutation and is characterized by action tremor, cerebellar gait ataxia, Parkinsonism and cognitive decline with memory deficits. Intranuclear inclusions are considered to be the hallmark of the disorder and are formed by aggregation of a broad range of proteins and mRNA. FXTAS has been previously modelled in an inducible mouse that expresses moderately expanded repeats in the brain. The mice formed inclusions throughout the brain and had poor motor performance. Taking advantage of the inducible nature of the model, phenotypes that have not been previously addressed are investigated using various induction timelines. Early onset anxiety-related phenotypes, as well as late onset Parkinsonian phenotypes are identified. Parkinsonism is found to be paralleled by nigrostriatal degeneration in this model. Given that no cure exists for FXTAS, two treatment strategies are developed and tested in the inducible mice. The first strategy is based on modulation of protein turnover in order to limit aggregation via activation of autophagic degradation pathway. The second strategy is an antisense gene therapy that aims to inactivate the aberrant mRNA that contains the expanded repeat locus. Both strategies resulted in a decrease in the intranuclear inclusion pathology and an improvement in the motor performance of the inducible mice. Although various strategies have been previously applied to limit the pathogenesis of FXTAS, the approach presented here is the first evaluation of potentially translational strategies in a mammalian model of FXTAS. Thus, these strategies are novel and serve to fill an important gap in the research field of FXTAS with relevance to the other fmr1 premutation disorders.Eine Expansion der Trinucleotidwiederholungen im 5‘ untranslatierten Bereich des fragile X mental retardation (fmr1) Gens ist Ursache für verschiedene Krankheiten. Eine moderate Expansion wird als Prämutation bezeichnet und steht im Zusammenhang mit fragile X-assoziiertem tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS). Diese Krankheit wird von aberranten RNA-Transkripten verursacht, ist unheilbar und setzt spät ein. Sie ist charakterisiert durch Aktionstremor, cerebelläre Gangataxie, Parkinsonismus, sowie durch Gedächtnisdefizite und einer Abnahme der kognitiven Leistungsfähigkeit. Auf molekularer Ebene finden sich intranukleäre Einschlüsse, verursacht durch Aggregation von Proteinen und RNAs. In dieser Arbeit wurde ein induzierbares FXTAS-Mausmodel verwendet, für das intranukleäre Einschlüsse im Gehirn und motorische Defizite bereits beschrieben sind. Der induzierbare Charakter dieses Models erlaubte es den Einfluss der Prämutation in vershiedenen Entwicklungsstadien zu untersuchen und so den Angst-Phänotyp mit einer frühen, und den Parkinson-Phänotyp mit einer späten Induktion zu assoziieren. Darüberhinaus war Parkinsonismus von einer nigrostriatalen Degeneration begleitet. Da eine Heilung gegnwärtig nicht möglich ist, habe ich zwei Behandlungsstrategien entwickelt und getestet. Der erste Ansatz basiert auf der Manipulation des Protein-Turnovers um die Aggregation mithilfe einer Aktivierung des Autophagie-Degradierungsweges zu verhindern. Die zweite Strategie ist eine Antisense-Gentherapie mit dem Ziel der Inaktivierung aberranter mRNA. Beide Strategien führten zu einer Reduktion intranukleärer Einschlüsse und einer Verbesserung der motorischen Leistung. Zusammenfassend konnte ich in diesem Modell bislang unbeschriebene Symptomklassen identifizieren, die von der Prämutation verursacht werden, und zwei Behandlungsmöglichkeiten etablieren. Obwohl bereits einige Interventionsansätze in Invertebraten existieren, sind die hier präsentierten Interventionen die ersten im Säugetier, was translationales Potential birgt

The effects of slaughter weight on chemical composition, physical properties, and fatty acid profile of musculus longissimus dorsi in Holstein bulls

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of slaughter weight on chemical composition, physical properties, and fatty acid profile of musculus longissimus dorsi (MLD) in Holstein bulls. The bulls (n = 20) were divided into two slaughter weight groups as light (450–520 kg) and heavy (521–580 kg) according to body weights at slaughter. After resecting MLD from the carcass, its chemical composition, physical properties, and fatty acid profile were determined. The analysis showed that fat, ash, and cholesterol contents of MLD were significantly affected by slaughter weight (P < 0.05). Higher fat, ash, and cholesterol contents were determined in heavy bulls compared with light ones. However, the protein and moisture contents were not significantly different between slaughter weight groups in terms of pH, drip loss, and water holding capacity. With regard to meat color, the a* was significantly higher in light bulls; however, the L* and b* values were similar in both slaughter weight groups. Of all fatty acids, only C:10 was found the highest in heavy bulls (P < 0.05). The n-6/n-3 ratio was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in light bulls compared with heavy ones. Consequently, the best results were obtained from light Holstein bulls in order to achieve better beef quality. © 2019, Springer Nature B.V.Firat University Scientific Research Projects Management Unit, FÃ?BAP --This work was financially supported by Kırşehir Ahi Evran University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit with project number: PYO-ZRT.4001.14.002. -